What do you do when life is not working out as you had planned and hoped it would? As I write this, I am aware of two phone calls I am expecting. One person I have been trying to get in touch with texted me with the promise he would call me in thirty minutes. It’s been almost two hours now. Another person I talked to briefly promised he would call back in an hour. Of course, that hour has come and gone with no return call.
These are minor examples of life not working today as I had hoped. We have and will face all kinds of irritations on the smaller scale. What about the major let downs when we come to realize that life is simply not working out? This may involve our job or ministry assignment. When it comes to the ministry of the Lord Jesus, the best laid out plans can be a no go. This may involve our home life when things are not working out. This may involve our health or a loved one’s health condition.
We can easily conclude, “Life is not working out for me right now.” “This is not what I expected.” “This is not what I signed up for here.” “I have reached a dead end.”
How do we respond when we come to the place where life is not working? What do we do when we come to this place where we are ready to throw up our hands in despair, discouragement and defeat?
This is not an uncommon experience for the child of God.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. I Peter 4:12-13
When life is not working, we can easily conclude, “What did I do wrong?” “Where did I miss the Lord?” “If I was in the will of God, I would not be suffering in this way.” We need to remind ourselves from God’s word that trials and temptations are not uncommon for the child of God. You may be where you are supposed to be in this place of disappointment when life is not working.
God can do His best work for, in, and through us when life is not working.
Tony Evans recently tweeted, “Jesus is never more real to you than in those times when life does not seem to be working out.”
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
When we are in the place of humility, God has our undivided attention. This is where we can get our best glimpse of what God is doing for, in and through us.
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